Polomka between the Low Tatras, the ski resort and local culture

Polomka combines the mountain landscape of the Low Tatras with winter sports, nature trails, regional cuisine and a remarkable cultural history. The northern side of the town is bordered by the Low Tatras massif. Within the municipality of Polomka, Homôlka reaches an elevation of 1,665 metres. A second-class road and a railway line also run through the town in a west–east direction between Banská Bystrica and Brezno, continuing on to Poprad and Rožňava.

Landscape

A notable lookout point is Polomské očko. The lookout tower stands at an elevation of 906 metres on the summit of Polomka’s local ski resort. From there, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Low Tatras ridge, the forests of Muránska planina and large parts of the Horehronie region. Access to Polomské očko follows a two-kilometre ski slope with an elevation difference of approximately 300 metres.

Activities

The Polomka Bučnik ski resort has three technically snow-covered and regularly groomed pistes: one easy and two intermediate. The facilities also include ski equipment rental, a ski service and a ski school. The Voľchovô nature trail is 8.5 kilometres long and comprises seven stations with information panels about the region’s fauna and flora. It begins at the upper car park of the ski resort and leads directly to the Polomské očko lookout tower. Benches are provided at each information panel, where visitors can rest.

The trail includes Rybník Voľchovô, which is connected to two marked cycle routes. The pond can be reached on foot, by bicycle or by car. There, the owner can demonstrate fishing and provide the necessary equipment. Polomka is also home to a special climbing venue, the Veža climbing wall: it is located in a former water tower, is 10 metres high and 7.5 metres wide. The climbing routes have varying levels of difficulty. The climbing wall opened on 1 May 2013 and is operated by the TREND civic association in Polomka.

Culture

The MIDO exhibition hall displays folk art and everyday objects. Exhibits include traditional costumes, photographs, paintings, porcelain, household appliances, looms, sewing machines and a historically furnished room. The exhibition also includes documents about the production of polomská kapka. The MIDO exhibition hall opened to the public in 2015.

An important sacred monument in Polomka is the Roman Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist. Count František Wesselenyi had it built in 1666. After his death, his wife continued the construction, which was completed three years later. The church contains a unique late Baroque pulpit from the late 17th century, which is a national cultural monument.

The former poorhouse of Polomka is a prominent historical monument. It was founded in 1725 by Count Štefan II Koháry. The grounds of the Chapel of the Seven Sorrows of Mary have served as a pilgrimage site since 1999. Every year on 15 September, believers from various parishes gather there. Visitors can drink spring water at the chapel, which does not freeze even in winter. Several completely original wooden houses have been preserved in Polomka, especially on Bernolákova and Nálepkova streets.

Cuisine and crafts

Local tradition includes traditional dishes such as hriatô s medom, krompak v kapuste and štikaná chamula. Polomka is particularly known for its hand-pulled polomská štrúdľa. The Polomka folk costume also preserves regional textile traditions: it features rich embroidery on handwoven linen, and its ethnographic elements have been preserved in their original form.

The exhibition “Od ľanu ku kroju” traces the traditional production of clothing—from growing flax through its processing, spinning and weaving to the Polomka folk costumes. Visitors can try out the fully functional looms there. Admission to the “Od ľanu ku kroju” exhibition is available by prior reservation at 0911 179 191.

Other places

Pohorelá, Predajná, Ráztoka, Hronec, Michalová, Mýto Pod Dumbierom, Vaľkovňa, Podbrezová

To the higher-level travel overview: Brezno District.